Letter from Dr. Cameron to his wife

Copy of what Dr. ARCHIBALD CAMERON intended to have delivered to the SHERIFF OF MIDDLESEX at the place of execution, but which he left in the hands of his wife for that end. On the first slip of paper dated—Tower, 8th June 1753

Being denied the use of pen, ink, and paper [except in the presence of one or more officers, who always took away the paper from me whenever I began to write my complaints] and not even allowed the use of a knife with which I might cut a poor blunted pencil that had escaped the diligence of my searchers, I have, notwithstanding, as I could find opportunity, attempted to set down on some slips of paper in as legible characters as I was able, what I would have my country satisfied of with regard to myself and the cause in which I am now going to lay down my life.As to my religion, I thank God I die a member [tho’ unworthy] of that church in whose communion I have always lived, the Episcopal Church of Scotland, as by law established before the most unnaturall Rebellion begun in 1688, which for the sins of these nations hath continued to this day; and I firmly trust to find at the most awful and impartial tribunal of the Almighty KING OF KINGS, through the merits of my blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that mercy [tho’ undeserved] to my immortal part, which is here denied to my earthly by an usurper and his faction, tho’ it be well known I have been the instrument of preventing the ruin and destruction of many of my poor deluded countrymen who were in their service, as I shall make appear before I have done, if opportunities of writing fail me not.

[On the second slip of paper]

In order to convince the world of the uprightness of my intentions while in the Prince of Wales's army, as well as to shew the cruelty, injustice, and ingratitude of my murderers, I think it proper, in the first place, to take notice, how much better usage I might have expected of my country if humanity and good nature were now looked upon with the same eyes as in the times of our brave and generous ancestors. But I’m sorry to observe that our present men in power are so far, sunk below the noble spirit of the ancient Britons as hardly at this day to be distinguished from the very basest of mankind. Nor could the present possessor of the throne, of our injured sovereign, if he looked on himself as father and natural prince of this country, suffer the life of one to be taken away who had saved the lives and effects of more than 300 persons in. Scotland who were firmly attached to him and his party. But it seems it is now made a crime to save the lives of Scotchmen.As neither the time nor the poor materials I have for writing will allow me to descend to a particular enumeration off all the services I have done to the friends of the usurper, I shall, therefore, only mention a few of the most known, and such as can be well attested.In July 1745, soon after the setting up of the royal standard, and before our small army had reached Corryarick, it was moved by some of the chiefs to apply to the Prince for a strong detachment of clans to distress Campbell of Invera's house and tenants in the neighbourhood, which my brother, Lochiel, and I so successfully opposed, by representing to our generous leader [who was always an enemy to oppression], that such proceedings could be no way useful to his undertaking, that the motion was entirely laid aside, to the no small mortification of the proposers.My brother and I likewise prevented such another design against Braidalbin, to the great satisfaction of our dear Prince. And on our return from England to Glasgow,ARCHIBALD CAMERON

[On a third slip of paper]

My brother and I did service to the town of Glasgow, of which the principal gentry in the neighbourhood were then, and are to this day, very sensible, If they own the truth. But that might be as disaffection to a Government founded on and supported by lies and falshood.On our march to Stirling I myself [tho’ I’m like to meet with a Hanoverian reward for it] hindered the whole town of Kirkintulloch from being destroyed, and its inhabitants put to the sword by my brother's men, who were justly incensed against it for the inhuman murder of two of Lady Lochiel's servants but two months before. Here was a sufficient pretence or vengeance had I been inclined to cruelty. But, I thank God, nothing was ever further from my nature, tho’ I may have been otherwise represented. Mr. Campbell of Shawfield likewise owes me some small favours done to himself and family, which at least deserved some return in my behalf.And Lady Duncan Campbell of Lochnell now in London, can, if she pleases, vouch for the truth of some of the above facts.ARCHIBALD CAMERON.

[On a fourth slip of paper]

June 6, 1753.I thank kind Providence I had the happiness to be early educated in the principles of Christian loyalty, which as I grew in years inspired me with an utter abhorrence of rebellion and usurpation, tho’ ever so successful. And when I arrived at man's estate I had the testimony both of religion and reason to confirm me in the truth of my first principles. Thus my attachment to the BOYAL FAMILY is more the result of examination and conviction than of prepossession and prejudice. And as I am now, so was I then, ready to seal my loyalty with my blood. As soon, therefore, as the royal youth had set up e June the king his father's standard, I immediately, as in duty bound, repaired to it, as I had the honour from that time to be almost constantly about his person till November 1748 [excepting the short time after the affair of Culloden that his Royal Highness was in the Western Isles], I became more and more captivated with his amiable and princely virtues, which are indeed in every instance so eminently great as I want words to describe.I can farther affirm [and my present situation, and that of my dear Prince too, can leave no room to suspect me of flattery] that as I have been his companion in the lowest degree of adversity that ever prince was reduced to, so I have beheld him too, as it were, on the highest pinacle of glory, amidst the continual applauses, and I had almost said adorations, of the most brilliant court in Europe; yet he was always the same, ever affable and courteous, giving constant proofs of his great humanity and of his love for his friends and his country. What great good to these nations might not be expected from Such a Prince, were he in possession of the throne of his ancestors! And as to his courage! None that have ever heard of his glorious attempt in 1745, can, I should think, call it in question.I cannot pass by in silence that most unjust and horrid calumny (viz. of giving no quarter to our enemy) raised by the rebels under the command of the inhuman son of the Elector of Hanover, which served as an excuse for the unparallel butchery committed by his orders in cold blood after the unhappy affair of Culloden; which, if true, must have come to my knowledge, who had the honour to serve my ever dear master in quality of one of his aides de camp, And I hereby declare I never heard of such orders. This above is truth.ARCHIBALD CAMERON.

I likewise declare on the word of a dying man that the last time I had the honour to see his Royal Highness, Charles, Prince of Wales, he told me from his own mouth, and bid me assure his friends from him that he was a member of the Church of EnglandARCHIBALD CAMERON.

[On a fifth slip of paper]

To cover the cruelty of murdering me at this distance of from passing the unjust attainder, I am accused of being deeply concerned in a new plot against the government [which, if I was, neither the fear of the worst death their malice could invent, nor the blustering and noisy threatnings of the tumultuous Council, nor much less their flattering promises, could have extorted any discovery of it from me], but not so much as one evidence was ever produced to make good the charge. But it is my business to submit, since God in his all-wise providence thinks fit to suffer it to be so. And I the more chearfully resign my life, as it is taken away for doing my duty to God, my king, and my country; nor is there anything in this world I could so much wish to have it prolonged for as to have another opportunity of employing the remainder of it in the same glorious cause.ARCHIBALD CAMERON.

I thank God I was not in the least daunted at hearing the bloody sentence which my unrighteous judge pronounced with a seeming insensibility, till he came to these words, but not till you are dead; before which he made a pause, and uttering them with a particular emphasis, stared me full in the face, to see, I suppose, if I was as much frightened at them as he perhaps would had he been in my place. As to the guilt he said I had to answer for, as having been instrumental in the loss of so many lives, let him his constituents see to that. At their hands, not at mine, will all the blood that has been shed on that account be required.God of his infinite mercy grant they may prevent the punishment which hangs over their heads by a sincere and timely repentance, and speedily return to their duty.I pray God to hasten the restoration of the Royal Family [without which this miserably divided nation can never enjoy peace and happiness], and that it may please him to preserve and defend the King, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of York from the power and malice of their enemies; to prosper and reward all my friends and benefactors, and to forgive all my enemies, murderers, and false accusers, from the Elector of Hanover and his bloody son, down to Samuel Cameron, the basest of their spies, as I freely do from the bottom of my heart. (Sic subscribitur),ARCHIBALD CAMERON

I am now ready to be offered. I have fought a good fight. All glory be to God.The above is a faithful transcript of my late dear husband's dying sentiments. (Sic subscribitur), JEAN CAMERONThe Lyon in Mourning, 1896, Vol. iii, pages 132-137